Hundreds transfer into area schools
Reasons can range from the practical to the sentimental, according to system officials.
Many issues play a role in a parent’s decision to move their child to a school outside the district they live in, and those reasons could range from a simple matter of location to having a family tradition of attending a specific school.
Floyd County has 955 out-of-district students and Rome City has 497. These are students not only from the immediate area, but from Polk, Chattooga, Bartow, Gordon, Cobb and Haralson counties.
In the county, Garden Lakes — with 112 — and Johnson — with 104 — had some of the highest numbers of transfer students. In the city, Rome High — with 225 — and East Central — with 140 — had the most. The numbers of transfers
at these schools are consistently high, according to system officials.
“The numbers at Johnson are traditionally high,” said Tim Hensley, assistant to the superintendent of Floyd County Schools. “Garden Lakes also draws a good many.”
These high numbers can stem from many things, Hensley said.
“We have dealt with changing city and county boundaries and having easier access to certain schools,” he said. “With the additional roads being built, such as the Loop, it is easier for people to take their student to Johnson. Plus, you have the reputation of the schools. Parents tell us they like the environment of the school.”
Other factors include the children knowing other children at the school because of family friendships or a loyalty to the school.
“We have many families who have always attended a school, so they want to send their child there, even though they may live on the other side of town,” he said. “Schools in the Model and Pepperell districts for example, have a history grown from textile mills and the tradition of a tight-knit community. Those community bonds have lasted long after the mills have disappeared.”
The layout of the neighborhood surrounding Garden Lakes is a contributing factor for that school’s numbers, explained Mary Alcorn, principal.
“I live in Garden Lakes and I’m in the county and my neighbor is part of the city,” she said. “One side of a road can be county school and the other can be city.”
However, Alcorn said she feels one of the biggest factors is how the school is perceived by the community and its reputation.
“Our students have strong relationships with our teachers and their fellow students,” she said. “We give them a meaningful, memorable learning experience and try to teach the whole child. When visitors come, they can feel a difference. You can’t fake happy children in your school. We work to create an inviting atmosphere.”
Floyd County has a system for out-of-district students. While no one pays tuition to the system as an out-of-district student, they are required to fill out an application and submit it to the school every year. The application is reviewed and the student’s attendance, disciplinary and academic records are taken into account.
“We want students who want to be in school, who want to succeed, because they themselves add to the positive atmosphere of the school,” Hensley said.
Rome City does charge tuition to out-of-district students, $180 per year, or $1 per day, according to Rome City Schools Superintendent Lou Byars.
“The decision was made several years ago to charge a small fee,” he explained.
Students’ academic, disciplinary and attendance records are also looked at, he said.
As for the draw to bring outof-district students, Byars said he feels it is the wide range of programs the system offers.
“Especially at the high school,” he said. “I was speaking with parents the other day during an award ceremony and their child is outof-district. They chose to have that child attend Rome because of the quality academic programs and the strong arts and athletics opportunities. They said that all factored into their decision.”
Byars cites things such as the only public school swim team, a large band, the school’s ROTC program and the number of AP classes offered as being incentives for out-of-district students.
“At our elementary schools, we often hear that the school is in an excellent location for the parents as well as the strong reputation of the school,” he said. “East Central is very accessible and they have room at the school. Many of our schools get requests or applications, such as West Central or West End, but we can’t accept them all because of space.”
East Central Principal Kristin Teems said she hears many reasons from parents.
“They tell me that East Central is an exceptional school with high standards and they know the staff cares about their children,” Teems said. “I’m told that our school has a great reputation, great teachers and it offers students great preparation.”
Byars said he is excited to see Rome City Schools growing.
“We are seeing a steady increase every year and we feel it is because of the strong programs we offer,” he said.